Kariya Munda may become Lok Sabha Speaker

New Delhi: Amidst speculations over faces of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi’s Cabinet, the picture of the new Lok Sabha Speaker seems to be getting clear. There are strong indications that Jharkhand’s senior BJP leader and current Deputy Speaker Kariya Munda is likely to be elevated to post of Lok Sabha Speaker.

Senior party leader Sumitra Mahajan’s name is also doing the rounds for the top constitutional post. According to sources, Kariya Munda had met former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari a day before in this regard. Narendra Modi, who usually doesn’t compromise on person’s ability or efficiency while giving assignment, is pondering over Munda’s name as the new Lok Sabha Speaker.

Dalit leader Meira Kumar was elected Lok Sabha Speaker unopposed during UPA’s second tenure in 2009. In its response, the BJP had projected Karia Munda for the post of Deputy Speaker of the Lower House. Earlier PA Sangma was the first Lok Sabha Speaker from the Tribal community.

Munda has an ample amount of experience as a Member and a Presiding Officer in the Lok Sabha. Going by Tribal leader’s vast experience, Modi is giving a serious thought over Munda as the Lok Sabha Speaker.

The news has put Munda in a fix as he thinks that the new post would not let him completely concentrate on Jharkhand’s development. This is probably one of the reasons why Mahajan’s name is also being speculated for the top statutory post.